FAQ's

FAQ's

We have compiled a list of Frequently Asked Question's (FAQ's) to support Members with queries they may have regarding our possible future closure.

Why could Pro-Action close & how long have you known about it?

As with many charitable organisations we rely heavily on external funding. Since our formation in 2008 we have had significant support provided by Hertfordshire County Council which currently represents nearly 50% of our income. This will be reduced by 67% for the financial year April 2019 to March 2020. We had expected a reduction more in the region of 20% and had planned for this. Such a dramatic cut leaves us with very limited options so unless we have a breakthrough we have to face the reality that closing the charity is now a serious possibility. Behind the scenes we continue to apply for funding and are seeking support from the community to keep our doors open, so please look out for our media campaign. We aim to keep our members informed on the situation and how it will affect them.

When could Pro-Action close?

The Trustees have set the date of 30th June 2019, unless our situation changes.

What will happen to my current membership?

We are offering Members a 3-month renewal agreement at the cost of £20 until a final decision is made. Any Members who have already paid until 31st March 2020 will receive a pro-rata refund should the charity close. During this period the team will continue to provide the same level of service whilst working to identify alternative places that we can direct embers to for services.

Our organisation is currently working on our First Steps or AQ Bronze award. What happens if Pro-Action closes?

We have been working closely with UK Youth, the organisation who run the programme. They have agreed to provide support moving forwards and we are currently arranging what this support will look like. If you could contact us to share a feasible completion date for you, that would help with this planning process.

In the meantime, Sue, our Quality Lead, will continue to support Member until 30th June 2019 or if our situation changes. We are fully committed to enabling Members to complete this important Quality Assurance programme.

We have signed up to receive a grant on completion of First Steps/Bronze award. Will we still receive this?

Sylvia Adams Charitable Trust and Pro-Action are committed to meeting the commitment that was agreed regarding the use of the funding for Ambition Quality. We are working out how best to organise the payment of grants moving forwards. We are confident that this can be organised and will inform Members as soon as we have further details.

In the meantime, Sue will continue to process payments for Members achieving their awards, until 30th June 2019 or if our situation changes.

I want to re-accredit Bronze / Silver / Gold- how do I do this?

UK Youth will provide advice and guidance on how to re-accredit at any level and offer support if needed. The programme is currently being reviewed, so may look slightly different in the future. We are working closely with UK Youth and will share further details as they are made available to us.

Where can our organisation gain advice and support in the future?

As a team we are working to identify as many places where you can get support in relation to running your groups/organisations successfully. Inevitably these won’t necessarily provide the same level or personal service that pro-Action currently does, which is why we are still fighting to remain open and provide the best possible support to our members.

There are many online providers for completing DBS checks. One of our Members use Security Watchdog, part of Capita PLC. We suggest you ‘shop’ around and find the one that best suits your organisation. If you are affiliated to a governing body, they should be able to recommend one.

Unfortunately we have found fewer options for completing paper DBS forms, which we know some Members prefer. The key ones in Hertfordshire are Council’s for Voluntary Youth Services, often abbreviated to CVS’s. More details on their websites check out the one that covers where you are located.

You need to follow your organisations Safeguarding policy and procedure and then refer onto Hertfordshire Safeguarding Children Partnership. You can either phone in, or complete the referral form on the website and then email it in- there is information about how to do this under the ‘referral tab’, i.e. password protect etc.

Who can check our policies and procedures when changes & reviews are required?

Unfortunately, we have not found an organisation that can offer this service at present.

Where can we access training?

Pro-Action will continue to provide training until June. If we close we will provide details of alternative providers, if we don’t then we will continue providing training.

What will happen to the YAMA programme?

Unfortunately we are putting on hold the YAMA programme we have been working on until we have a clearer idea of whether we shall be continuing or not. Once we know the future for certain we shall make an announcement.

What will happen to the photography competition?

This will continue with the brief and closing date as announced for entries and announcement of winners, so keep your entries coming in.

The Brief: Culture & My Community

The judges want to view the world as seen through the eyes of young people.

Culture is defined as ‘the way of life, especially the general customs and beliefs, of a particular group of people at a particular time’ by the Cambridge Dictionary.

Brittanica Kids, describes the term as ‘Culture is a pattern of behaviour shared by a society, or group of people. Many different things make up a society's culture. These things include food, language, clothing, tools, music, arts, customs, beliefs, and religion’

For this year’s competition, in one single image, the judges would like you to photograph your view or perception of culture, within your community or around your community.

This could be a celebration, an object, a building, or even people (with their permission). Please photograph something that reflects culture where you live or within your community.

We are planning a great Celebration of our Membership, which will take place in June 2019. Please consider who to nominate from the different categories. We want to make this a special evening and are planning for a bigger event than in the past.

What will happen about the training I have booked/am thinking of booking?

All advertised training between now and 30th June will go ahead as planned, subject to suitable booking numbers.

What will happen to my data and information you hold about our organisation?

Should Pro-Action sadly close at the end of June we shall review all data that we hold and, subject to our legal obligations, remove anything that is deemed unnecessary as no longer required for on going activities.. We shall keep information of Members required for any reason during the procedures as required in the closure of the charity. All data will be destroyed as outlined in our data protection policies.

We have the Pro-Action logo on our website and printed flyers and leaflets. What will happen about this?

Please remove the Pro-Action Logo from all electronic sources by 30th June 2019, such as your website and all social media platforms. Regarding paper formats such as leaflets, please ensure that the Pro-Action logo is removed before printing. We understand that you will have things with the Pro-Action logo on until your quantities are diminished.